Pakistan’s recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) have sparked concern among journalists, legal experts, and human rights advocates. The changes, signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari in January 2025, have been criticized for tightening the government’s control over digital speech rather than addressing cybercrime.
The amendments to PECA were portrayed as necessary to combat misinformation and maintain public order in an increasingly digital society. However, civil society organizations and advocates have raised alarms about the potential impact on press freedom and civil liberties in a country where democratic institutions are already under pressure.
One of the key concerns is the vague definition of ‘fake news’ in the amended Section 26(A) and the harsh penalties outlined in the bill for disseminating false information. Critics argue that the lack of clarity in the law could enable its selective use against government critics and opposition voices.
Moreover, the new regulatory bodies established to oversee digital content, such as the Social Media Regulation and Protection Authority (SMPRA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), have raised fears of excessive control and potential suppression of free expression.
These fears are grounded in the misuse of PECA in the past to silence dissent, particularly criticism of the military and judiciary. The creation of SMPRA, empowered to block content deemed harmful to national security, public order, or morality, further reinforces concerns about the shrinking space for expression in Pakistan.
The crackdown on journalists and social media users under the amended PECA has been intensifying, with several high-profile cases of arrests and detentions for posting allegedly false information. The vague and ambiguous framing of the offenses has raised concerns about chilling online expression in the country.
The amendments have also faced international criticism for violating human rights norms and failing to meet standards of freedom of expression. The lack of judicial oversight in content censorship by SMPRA and the targeting of exiled journalists through other legal means have added to concerns about digital authoritarianism in Pakistan.
The broad scope of the law, requiring social media platforms to comply with strict regulations and potentially facing fines or bans, raises questions about platform neutrality and the country’s economic outlook in the tech sector. The impact on young Pakistanis, who rely on social media for political engagement and job opportunities, is particularly concerning.
The lack of transparency and due process in passing the amendments, without proper consultation with stakeholders, has deepened mistrust and fueled fears of widespread self-censorship. The growing trend of targeting media workers and journalists critical of the government is indicative of a worsening environment for press freedom in the country.
Overall, Pakistan’s amendments to PECA have drawn scrutiny for their potential to stifle free expression and open discourse in the digital space. The concerns raised by civil society organizations, journalists, and human rights advocates reflect a broader trend of shrinking media independence and growing state control in South Asia.